Medical implement cleaning device

ABSTRACT

A cleaning device for a medical implement is disclosed. The cleaning device includes a cap having an opening to an inner cavity, the opening being adapted to receive a site of the medical implement. The cleaning device further includes a compressible cleaning material that contains a cleaning agent prior to receipt of the site of the medical implement, i.e. the cleaning material is pre-loaded with the cleaning agent. The compressible cleaning material is at least partially secured in the inner cavity and adapted to swab and clean the site with the cleaning agent.

PRIORITY

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/860,825 filed on Aug. 20, 2010, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,985,302, entitled“Medical Implement Cleaning Device,” which is a continuation of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 11/705,805 filed on Feb. 12, 2007, issued onAug. 24, 2010 as U.S. Pat. No. 7,780,794, and entitled “MedicalImplement Cleaning Device,” which claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C.§119(e) of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/832,437 filedon Jul. 21, 2006 and entitled “Disinfecting Cap” and also claims thebenefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S. Provisional patent applicationSer. No. 60/850,438 filed on Oct. 10, 2006 and entitled “DisinfectingCap.” The disclosures of all applications to which the currentapplication claims priority are incorporated by reference herein intheir entireties.

BACKGROUND

Within the medical field, and in particular the area of infusion offluids or aspiration of fluids to or from a patient, there is a need toprevent the transmission of pathogens into or onto a patient from apotentially contaminated surface of a medical implement, or “site”. Suchpathogens include microorganisms such as bacteria and viruses. Thetransmission of pathogens into a patient may result in an infection thatcould be life threatening. Specific to healthcare settings, the term“nosocomial infection” describes those infections that originate from oroccur in a hospital or hospital-like setting. In the U.S., nosocomialinfections are estimated to occur in at least 5% of all acute carehospitalizations. The estimated incidence is more than two million casesper year, resulting in an added expenditure in excess of $4.5 billion.Nosocomial infections are estimated to more than double the mortalityand morbidity risks of any admitted patient, and likely result in about90,000 deaths a year in the United States. Common sites for suchtransmissions are found on such medical implements as a luer port, vial,needle free valve, or an injection port of a vessel, tubing, orcatheter. Even non-intrusive medical implements such as stethoscopes cantransmit pathogens to a patient. The incidence of infection in patientsis presently numerous and increasing, and Infection ControlPractitioners (ICP's) often cite improper cleaning of sites as a majorsource of these infections.

Traditionally, cleaning a potentially contaminated surface includes aprotocol of alcohol swabbing prior to making the necessary connectionsto the site. Today alcohol swabs, a small pad of cotton gauze soaked inisopropyl alcohol, are packed individually in a foil package. The foilpackage is relatively inexpensive, and is used to retain the alcoholwithin the package and to prevent evaporation. Properly used, thepackage is opened at or near the site to be swabbed. With gloved hands,the pad is removed by a healthcare provider and wiped across the top andside surfaces of the site, and the pad and foil package are discarded.The site should be allowed to dry, usually twenty to thirty seconds,immediately prior to making any connection. This “drying” period isimportant: when alcohol dries, it breaks open the cellular walls ofmicroorganisms, thereby killing them.

Unfortunately, because of increased duties and responsibilities,shrinking nursing staffs, and inadequate training, swabbing is oftenoverlooked or is poorly executed. A poorly swabbed site can carrymicroorganisms that, if allowed to enter a patient's body, can causeserious infection. In addition, supervisory oversight is nearlyimpossible, because unless a supervisor can actually observe theswabbing being performed, the supervisor cannot know whether or not itwas done properly or performed at all. Further, without at least asufficient microscopic examination for microbial residue, there may beno evidence of an alcohol swab being performed. Thus, a need exists foran apparatus and technique for cleaning a site on a medical implementprior to contact with a patient, and which will eliminatetechnique-related issues and training issues, and provide an unequivocalindicator that a site is clean prior to accessing a patient's vascularsystem.

SUMMARY

A cleaning device, system and method for a medical environment isdisclosed. In one aspect, the cleaning device includes a cap having anopening to an inner cavity, the opening being adapted to receive a siteof the medical implement. The cleaning device further includes acompressible cleaning material that contains a cleaning agent prior toreceipt of the site of the medical implement, i.e. the cleaning materialis pre-loaded with the cleaning agent. The compressible cleaningmaterial is at least partially secured in the inner cavity and adaptedto swab and clean the site with the cleaning agent.

In another aspect, a cleaning system for a threaded medical implementincludes a cap having an inner cavity and an opening to receive a siteof the medical implement into the inner cavity. The system furtherincludes a threaded ring connected to the inner cavity at the opening tothe cap, and having threads that correspond to threads on the threadedmedical implement. The system further includes a cleaning material inthe inner cavity adapted to provide radial compression against thethreaded medical implement, the cleaning material containing a cleaningagent prior to receipt of the site of the medical implement. The openingis preferably covered by a removable vacuum seal.

In yet another aspect, a method of cleaning a site of a medicalimplement includes the steps of at least partially saturating a cleaningmaterial with a cleaning agent in an inner cavity of a cap; andcontacting a top of the site of the medical implement to a first portionof the cleaning material. The method further includes steps ofcompressing the first portion of cleaning material with the site of themedical implement to contact a side of the site with a second portion ofthe cleaning material provided around the first cleaning material, andattaching the cap over the site of the medical implement.

In yet another aspect, a cleaning device for a medical implementincludes a cap having an opening to an inner cavity, an inner surface ofthe opening including one or more threads adapted to receive a site ofthe medical implement. The cleaning device further includes a cleaningmaterial formed of a compressible material that is at least partiallysecured in the inner cavity, the cleaning material containing a cleaningagent.

In still yet another aspect, a cleaning system for a medical environmentincludes a plurality of caps. Each cap includes an inner cavity and anopening to receive a site of the medical implement into the innercavity, and a cleaning material in the inner cavity adapted to provideradial compression against a site of a medical implement, the cleaningmaterial containing a cleaning agent prior to receipt of the site of themedical implement. The system further includes a seal that covers theopening of each of the plurality of caps, and from which individual onesof the plurality of caps can be selectively removed to be used forcleaning the site of the medical implement.

The details of one or more embodiments are set forth in the accompanyingdrawings and the description below. Other features and advantages willbe apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other aspects will now be described in detail with referenceto the following drawings.

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional, exploded view of a cleaning device.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of an assembled cleaning device.

FIG. 3 illustrates operation of a cleaning device for connection to asite of a medical implement.

FIG. 4 illustrates a cleaning device connected to a medical implementand cleaning a site of the medical implement.

FIG. 5 shows another embodiment of an assembled cleaning device.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of an assembled cleaning device inaccordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of another cleaning device.

FIG. 8 is a cross section of a cleaning device.

FIGS. 9 and 10 show a cleaning device being used to clean a site of amedical implement.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a ring that attaches to a correspondingstructure of a medical implement.

FIG. 12 is a cross sectional view of another alternative embodiment of acleaning device.

FIG. 13 shows yet another alternative embodiment of a cleaning device.

FIG. 14 shows a cap of a cleaning device in accordance with someembodiments.

Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In accordance with preferred embodiments, a cleaning device includes acap having a shape and/or external features to promote easy gripping anda cleaning material in the cap that holds or is in contact with acleaning agent, such as isopropyl alcohol, for application of thecleaning agent to a site of a medical implement.

The cleaning material can be any substance that can conform, mold orcompress in a manner that enables the effective wiping of the site,including the top surface of the site, side surface, and any threads orgrooves, if present, and provide the cleaning agent at least at asurface level. Examples of the cleaning material include cotton, open orclosed cell foam such as polyethylene foam, or other substance that canhold or carry the cleaning agent. The cleaning agent can be anychemical, substance or material that cleans the site of bacterial oreven viral microorganisms, or any carrier that contains such chemical,substance or material. Examples of a cleaning agent include isopropylalcohol, chlorhexidine, povidone-iodine, hydrogen peroxide, soap, andhydrochloric acid.

The term “medical implement” is used to denote any tool or object thatcan be used in a medical setting and that can connect to a site cleaningdevice as described herein according to a number of embodiments.Examples of medical implements include, but are not limited to, accessports on tubing sets (extension sets, T-connectors and IV sets), accessports on catheters (both peripheral and central lines), needle freevalves, stopcocks, luer connectors, stethoscopes and other components ordevices whereby regular cleaning is desired. Medical implements arecommercially available in standard sizes. Thus, the end or opening of asite cleaning device can be provided with fittings to accommodate suchstandard size medical implements.

The cap of the cleaning device is made of a material that is compatiblewith the cleaning materials and agents to be used, examples of materialswould include, sealed foam, plastic, glass, or metal. The cleaningdevice may need to undergo sterilization. For securing the cleaningdevice to another device, the cleaning device can include attachmentmechanisms such as “snap-fit” mechanisms or clamps to hold it in placeon the other device. Alternatively the cleaning material in the cap mayconform to the sides of the medical implement to thereby “grip” andremain secured to the medical implement. The cap also may have threadingto secure it in place on a medical implement. The cap may have somecutaway portions on its walls to enable the use of some undercuts duringthe molding process, and to allow the cleaning material to flex outwardboth during use. The cap can be made from polyethylene or anothermaterial that is stable when in the presence of alcohol or othercleaning agent.

In preferred exemplary embodiments, prior to being applied to a site,and after the cleaning material is provided with a cleaning agent, theopening of the cap is sealed with a foil-based seal or other materialsuitable for retaining a cleaning agent in the cleaning material andpreventing evaporation of the cleaning agent. The cap seal may also beformed in a manner whereby several caps could be attached i.e. a strip,where individual caps can be peeled from the strip in order to be used.These strips of caps can be made conveniently accessible, i.e. hung fromintravenous (IV) poles or IV sets, in patient rooms and medicationcarts, to name just a few. The strips provide the convenience of havingseveral caps available in one location.

The cleaning material in the cap can be an alcohol-soaked piece ofgauze, foam or similar cleaning material. The cleaning material can beformed into the general interior shape of the cap from one or morepieces. For instance, the cleaning material can include a ring forcircumscriptive coverage and cleaning of the site, and further include acylinder within the ring for coverage and cleaning on a distal end ofthe site. A single piece of cleaning material may also be cut or formedto perform the same coverage and cleaning functions as the two piecesdescribed above. The cleaning material may also cover the threads and/orbe formed as part of the threads.

In still further embodiments, the cleaning material may be made entirelyor partially of the cleaning agent. For example, the cleaning materialcan be formed of an open cell foam or plastic that is chemically orphysically impregnated with a cleaning agent such as povidone or iodine,or isopropyl alcohol.

To further illustrate and describe these concepts, reference is now madeto FIG. 1, which shows a cross-sectional, exploded view of a cleaningdevice, embodied as a cap 10 with a housing 4 that defines an innercavity 20 of the cap 10. A foil seal 1 is configured to attach to asealing surface 2 of the housing 4. The housing 4 further includesinternal threads 3. In a preferred exemplary embodiment, the internalthreads 3 are sized and arranged to accommodate luer threads, i.e.standardized male threads designed to mate with the female threads on amedical implement to which the cap 10 attaches. The housing 4 also has amating surface 5 for attachment of a bottom portion 6.

Within housing 4 is a first cleaning material 7. The first cleaningmaterial 7 may be attached to the walls of housing 4 by glue, solvent orsome other attachment composition or mechanism, or may be held in thehousing 4 by compression or trapped between the bottom portion 6 andhousing 4. Ribs or protrusions on the inside of the housing 4 may alsobe used to prevent the cleaning material 7 from slipping or rotating.The first cleaning material 7 is compressible, and is preferablydoughnut-shaped or ring-shaped. The first cleaning material 7 ispositioned and configured to compress radially in an outwardly directionto scrub or wipe the circumscriptive surface of the site and the surfaceof the threads of an inserted medical implement.

A second cleaning material 8 is designed to compress in the axialdirection upon insertion of the medical implement and is designed towipe the distal end and distal surface of the inserted medicalimplement. The second cleaning material 8 may be attached to the wallsof bottom portion 6 by glue, solvent or some other attachmentcomposition or mechanism, or affixed to first material 7 by glue,solvent or some other attachment composition or mechanism. Protrusionson the inside of the bottom portion 6 may also be used to prevent thecleaning material 8 from rotating or removal. The first cleaningmaterial 7 and second cleaning material 8 may be formed from a singlepiece of compressible cleaning material of cotton, foam or othersuitable cleaning material adapted for scrubbing. This single piece maybe cut completely or partially cut to achieve a similar effect as twoseparate pieces of cleaning material.

FIG. 2 illustrates an assembled cap 10. The first and second cleaningmaterials 7 and 8 in the inner cavity 20 are at least partiallysaturated with a cleaning agent, such as isopropyl alcohol, or a mix ofcleaning agents. The foil seal 1 is then attached to housing 4 atsealing surface 2 by glue, solvent, thermal bonding, etc. A bottomportion 6 is attached to housing 4 at point 5 by glue, welding, solvent,threads or other attachment mechanism or process. With the foil seal 1and the bottom portion 6 attached to housing 4, the inner cavity 20 ishermetically sealed. The housing 4, bottom portion 6, and first andsecond cleaning materials 7, 8 are respectively made of a material orcleaning materials that are compatible with the cleaning agent. Forinstance, if isopropyl alcohol is used for at least part of the cleaningagent, the housing 4 and bottom portion 6 can be constructed of aplastic such as polyethylene. The housing 4 and bottom portion 6 can beformed of a unitary piece of material, as explained further below.

FIG. 3 illustrates a medical implement 30 moving toward housing 4, in adirection A, which should be recognized as a reference only, and thatthe housing 4 can likewise be moved toward the medical implement 30. Thefoil seal 1 is removed from housing 4. In alternative embodiments, thefoil seal 1 can be a foil pouch or other sterilized material that wouldinhibit evaporation of the cleaning agent. A distal end surface 12 ofthe medical implement 30 is eventually contacted with the upper surface50 of the second cleaning material 8.

As the medical implement 30 continues in direction A, it axiallycompresses second cleaning material 8 continuing to clean surface 12with surface 50. This movement also begins to radially compress thefirst cleaning material 7 and to conform the first cleaning material 7with, and begin scrubbing, threads 11. The cleaning materials 7 and 8contain the cleaning agent so as to perform a thorough cleaning of thearea about the threads 11 and the surface 12. As threads 11 of themedical implement 30 continue to be rotationally inserted into thethreads 3 of the housing, the distal end surface 12 is automaticallyscrubbed by surface 50 of the second cleaning material 8 and cleaned bycleaning agent held therein, and at least a portion of the side andthreads 11 of the medical implement 30 are automatically scrubbed byradial compression of the first cleaning material 7 and cleaned by acleaning agent held therein. FIG. 4 illustrates the disinfecting cap 10with a fully inserted medical implement 30.

The cap 10 can be removed immediately from the medical implement 30after use, or be kept in place. If the cap 10 is removed the medicalimplement 30 surfaces 11 and 12 will be clean and ready for use upon thedrying of the cleaning agent. If the cap 10 is kept secured to medicalimplement 30, the cleaning agent in cap 10 will evaporate over timethereby destroying any microorganisms on the surfaces 12 and 11 ofmedical implement 30. The cap 10 then maintains the surfaces 11 and 12of medical implement 30 in a clean and ready-to-access state byeliminating any forms of touch contamination.

FIGS. 5-10 illustrate an alternate embodiment of a cleaning device 100.FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the cleaning device 100 formed of a cap102 with a seal 104 that is connected to and covers the opening of thecap 102. The cap 102 can have a number of gripping ridges or projectingmembers for ease of use. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of thecleaning device 100. The cap 102 forms an inner cavity with one openingthat is large enough to receive a site of a medical implement. The seal104 is affixed to the opening and is preferably entirely removable. Inother embodiments, the seal 104 is permanently affixed, and is simplypunctured by insertion of a site of a medical implement.

The cap 102 houses a threaded ring 106 proximate to the opening. Thethreaded ring 106 includes one or more threads 105 and is adapted toreceive the site of the medical implement to be disinfected, and thusdefines the size and shape of the opening. This embodiment isadvantageous because it creates a single circumferential seal point,seal 104 to the opening of cap 102.

In some embodiments, the cap 102 and threaded ring 106 are formed of aunitary piece of material or cleaning material. In other embodiments,the threaded ring 106 fits into a groove 109 that is formed in theinside edge surface of the cap 102 near the opening. In this latterconfiguration, the groove 109 maintains the position of threaded ring106 near the open end of the cap where the threaded ring top surface maybe flush with or slightly recessed from the cap open end walls, and thethreaded ring 106 may also include or create with the cap wall a smallvent aperture or opening to allow evaporation of a cleaning agent in thecap 102. The threaded ring 106 can be mechanically kept from rotatingwith internal ribs or protrusions in cap 102 or groove 109. Threadedring 106 may be held in place within grove 109 and cap 102 by glue,welding, snap-fit, solvent bonding or any other mechanism or compositionknown to those of requisite skill.

The cleaning device 100 further includes a first cleaning material 107that holds the cleaning agent, such as isopropyl alcohol, and a secondcleaning material 108 that also holds or is at least partially saturatedby the cleaning agent. In preferred exemplary embodiments, the firstcleaning material 107 is formed as a hollow cylinder or ring positionedbetween the threaded ring 106 and the top inside surface of the cap 102,and is adapted for radial compression against a site that is insertedinto the cap 102 or over which the cap 102 is placed. In someembodiments, the second cleaning material 108 is formed as a solidcylinder and positioned within the hollow space of the first cleaningmaterial 107, and is adapted for axial compression against a leadingedge of the site that is inserted into the cap 102 or over which the cap102 is placed. In other embodiments, cleaning materials 107 and 108 canbe made of a single piece of material and cut or formed so as to achievethe same result as described above. The cleaning agent is provided tothe cleaning materials 107, 108 prior to the opening being covered withthe seal 104.

FIG. 7 is a bottom perspective view and FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional viewof the cleaning device 100 with the seal 104 removed, showing the cap102, threaded ring 106 that sits within the cap 102, and the secondcleaning material 108 inside the cap 102. The second cleaning material108 can extend to and slightly beyond the opening of the cap 102. FIG. 8further shows the first cleaning material 107 that circumscribes thesecond cleaning material 108 and being positioned between the threadedring 106 and the top inner surface of the cap 102. FIG. 11 illustratesan example of the threaded ring 106 and its threads 105. An attribute ofthis embodiment of the threaded ring 106 shown in FIG. 11 is that thereare only two opposing threads that travel 180 degrees beforeterminating. This enables the molding of threaded ring 106 without theuse of a screw to create the thread feature in an injection moldingtool. The threaded ring 106 can also be produced with an injectionmolding tool utilizing a screw.

FIG. 9 illustrates the cleaning device 100 about to make contact with asite 120 of a medical implement. As discussed above, the site 120 can bea luer port, a, a needle free valve, an injection port of a vessel, orother medical implement that needs to be cleaned prior to use with apatient. In some embodiments, the site 120 can include a set of threads122 that correspond to the threads 105 in the threaded ring 106 of thecleaning device 100. The cleaning materials 107 and 108 are preloadedwith a cleaning agent, before removal of the seal and contact by thesite 120. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 10, the site 120 makes contactwith the cap 102 by a screwing motion relative to the cap 102. Thesecond cleaning material 108 is compressed axially and swabs against theleading edge of the site 120, while the first cleaning material 107 iscompressed radially and swabs against sides of the site 120.

FIG. 11 illustrates the molded thread ring 106 with two opposing threads105 that traverse opposing 180 degree portions of the ring. This designenables the thread ring 106 to be molded without the use of a screw thatis typically used to create threaded parts in a molding process. Thusthe threaded ring 106 can be manufacture very inexpensively. Thethreaded ring 106 can also clean some of the threads when the cap isplaced into position, and may or may not cover all the threads. In someembodiments, the threaded ring 106 can be molded from the cleaningmaterial, or the cleaning material is formed only of the threaded ring106. In such embodiments, the cleaning may only occur on threads of thesite and in an axial direction.

FIG. 12 shows an alternative embodiment of a cleaning device 130 havinga cap 132 that is filled with a cleaning material. The cap 132 has sidewalls 134 and a top 136 that define an inner cavity with an opening 132.The cleaning material includes at least a first cleaning material 138,such as cotton or foam, that delivers a cleaning agent. The cleaningmaterial can include a second cleaning material 140 to hold morecleaning agent. In some embodiments, the second cleaning material 140can be circumscribed by the first cleaning material 138. Alternatively,the first cleaning material 138 can completely envelope the secondcleaning material 140, each providing their own compressibility andcapacity to hold a cleaning agent. Still, in other embodiments, thefirst and second cleaning materials 138, 140 can be formed of a singlepiece of material. The cleaning material(s) are filled at leastpartially with a cleaning agent, prior to sealing of the opening 132with a seal and closure of the inner cavity.

FIG. 13 shows an alternate embodiment of a cleaning device 150. In thisembodiment, the cleaning device 150 includes a housing 152 that isformed as a threaded cap. The inner surface of the housing 152 iscovered, at least in part, by a cleaning layer 154 that is bonded to theinner surface of the housing 152. The cleaning layer 154 can be acleaning material such as cotton, foam, or other porous and pliablematerial that suitably holds and/or delivers a cleaning agent such asisopropyl alcohol. The cleaning layer 154 is sized and positioned insidethe housing 152 so as to be able to swab the top and a portion of thesides of a part of a medical implement that is inserted therein, or overwhich the housing 152 is placed. Accordingly, the cleaning layer 154 canhave any thickness or compressibility.

FIG. 14 shows yet another alternative embodiment of a cleaning device160, illustrating an outer view of a rounded housing 162 for an expandedinner chamber to hold more cleaning agents or cleaning materials thathold such agents. Holes 164 in the housing 162 can promote evaporationof the cleaning agent, particularly when the housing covers a site of amedical implement to be disinfected. The location of the vent holes isvariable and the vent holes can also be sealed with a filter typemembrane that permits the drying of the cleaning agents but does notallow entry of microorganisms or fluid.

The use of the various implementations and embodiments above entails thefollowing: the healthcare worker would, with gloved hands, open the foilpackage and place this cap over the site of a medical implement to becleaned. Upon placement the alcohol soaked cleaning material wipes allof the port's surfaces. This wipe could be accomplished by either aturning motion (if threads are used) or by simply pushing the cap ontothe port. In this way the cap eliminates errors in the practice ofswabbing due to poor training or excessive workloads. The cap would thenremain secured in place by threads, mechanical tension provided by thefoam, cotton, etc., snaps or some other mechanism. A cap in place on amedical implement is a positive indication that a desired site of themedical implement is clean. A vibrant color may be used to allow instantvisualization of a cap's presence from a door or hallway. ICP's canreview compliance by merely observing sites to see whether or not a capis in place. The cap could remain in place for periods of up to threedays or more. For extended periods the alcohol will likely evaporate,which assures that the site is clean. With the cap in place, itcontinues to keep the site clean even after the alcohol has evaporated.

Although a few embodiments have been described in detail above, othermodifications are possible. For instance, any of the embodimentsdescribed above may be sized and scaled for a particular medicalimplement, such as a stethoscope. Other embodiments may be within thescope of the following claims.

1. A cleaning device for a medical implement, the cleaning devicecomprising: a cap having an opening to an inner cavity, the opening forreceiving a site of the medical implement; one or more protrusionsextending inwardly at least partially around an inside surface of thecap near a periphery of the opening to the inner cavity, the one or moreprotrusions to engage an outer surface of the site of the medicalimplement to maintain the cap on the site of the medical implement; acleaning agent that occupies at least some of the inner cavity, thecleaning agent being formulated to clean the site when the opening ofthe cap receives the site of the medical implement; at least oneaperture to the inner cavity to allow venting from the inner cavity whenthe opening of the cap receives the site of the medical implement; and aremovable seal that covers the opening to maintain the cleaning agentwithin the inner cavity prior to receipt of the site of the medicalimplement.
 2. The cleaning device in accordance with claim 1, whereinthe at least one aperture is transiently formed during receiving thesite of the medical implement.
 3. The cleaning device in accordance withclaim 1, wherein the at least one aperture is transiently formed as agap between at least one of the one or more protrusions and an outersurface of the site of the medical implement.
 4. The cleaning device inaccordance with claim 1, wherein the at least one aperture is a gapbetween at least one of the one or more protrusions and an outer surfaceof the site of the medical implement.
 5. The cleaning device inaccordance with claim 1, wherein the venting from the inner cavityincludes venting of at least a portion of the cleaning agent.
 6. Thecleaning device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the venting from theinner cavity includes releasing pressure from the inner cavity.
 7. Thecleaning device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the at least oneaperture is proximate the one or more protrusions.
 8. The cleaningdevice in accordance with claim 1, wherein the removable seal isconnected to the opening prior to being removed.
 9. The cleaning devicein accordance with claim 1, wherein the at least one aperture is a gapin the one or more protrusions.
 10. The cleaning device in accordancewith claim 9, wherein the gap in the one or more protrusions is formedbetween an inner surface of the one or more protrusions and an outersurface of the site of the medical implement.
 11. A cleaning device fora medical implement having a threaded access port, the cleaning devicecomprising: a cap having an inner cavity for receiving the threadedaccess port of the medical implement; a protrusion extending inwardly atleast partially around an inside surface of the cap near a periphery ofthe opening to the inner cavity, the protrusion to engage at least aportion of the threaded access port of the medical implement to maintainthe cap on the medical implement; a cleaning agent that occupies atleast some of the inner cavity, the cleaning agent being formulated toclean the threaded access port when the opening of the cap receives thethreaded access port of the medical implement; at least one aperture tothe inner cavity to allow venting from the inner cavity when the innercavity receives the threaded access port of the medical implement; and aremovable seal that covers the opening to maintain the cleaning agentwithin the inner cavity prior to receipt of the site of the medicalimplement.
 12. The cleaning device in accordance with claim 11, whereinthe at least one aperture is transiently formed when the inner cavityreceives the threaded access port of the medical implement.
 13. Thecleaning device in accordance with claim 11, wherein the venting fromthe inner cavity includes venting of at least a portion of the cleaningagent.
 14. The cleaning device in accordance with claim 11, wherein theventing from the inner cavity includes releasing pressure from the innercavity.
 15. The cleaning device in accordance with claim 11, whereinwhen the inner cavity receives the threaded access port of the medicalimplement, at least a portion of threads of the threaded access port areexposed to the cleaning agent.
 16. The cleaning device in accordancewith claim 11, wherein when the inner cavity receives the threadedaccess port of the medical implement, at least a portion of threads ofthe threaded access port extend beyond the protrusion and into the innercavity.
 17. The cleaning device in accordance with claim 11, furthercomprising a compressible cleaning material in the inner cavity andcontaining the cleaning agent, the compressible cleaning materialadapted to swab and clean the threaded access port with the cleaningagent.
 18. The cleaning device in accordance with claim 11, wherein theat least one aperture is transiently formed by a gap between theprotrusion and the threaded access port of the medical implement. 19.The cleaning device in accordance with claim 11, wherein the at leastone aperture is a gap in the protrusion.
 20. The cleaning device inaccordance with claim 19, wherein the gap in the protrusion is formedbetween an inner surface of the protrusion and an outer surface of thethreaded access port of the medical implement.
 21. A method for cleaninga threaded access port of a medical implement, the method comprising:providing a cleaning device comprising a cap having an inner cavity forreceiving the threaded access port, a protrusion extending inwardly atleast partially around an inside surface of the cap near a periphery ofthe opening to the inner cavity to engage at least a portion of thethreaded access port, a cleaning agent that occupies at least some ofthe inner cavity and being formulated to clean the threaded access portwhen the opening of the cap receives the threaded access port, at leastone aperture to the inner cavity to allow venting from the inner cavitywhen the inner cavity receives the threaded access port, and a seal thatcovers the opening to maintain the cleaning agent within the innercavity prior to receipt of the site of the medical implement; removingthe seal to expose the opening to the threaded access port; and placingthe cap on the threaded access port to contact the threaded access portwith the cleaning agent.
 22. The method in accordance with claim 21,further comprising venting the inner cavity via the at least oneaperture after the cap is placed on the threaded access port.
 23. Themethod in accordance with claim 21, wherein the at least one aperture istransiently formed when the cap covers the threaded access port of themedical implement.
 24. The method in accordance with claim 21, whereinthe venting includes venting the cleaning agent from the inner cavity.25. The method in accordance with claim 21, wherein the protrusionincludes a thread at the opening to the inner cavity of the cap.
 26. Themethod in accordance with claim 21, wherein the at least one aperture isa gap in the protrusion.
 27. The method in accordance with claim 21,further comprising engaging the threaded access port with theprotrusion.
 28. The method in accordance with claim 26, wherein the gapin the protrusion is formed between an inner surface of the protrusionand an outer surface of the threaded access port of the medicalimplement.
 29. A cleaning system for a plurality of medical implements,the cleaning system comprising: a strip of sealing material; and aplurality of cleaning devices removably attached to the strip of sealingmaterial, each cleaning device being attached such that the sealingmaterial encloses an inner cavity to each cleaning device, each innercavity having an opening for receiving a site of one of the plurality ofmedical implements upon removal from the strip of sealing material, eachcleaning device further comprising: one or more protrusions extendinginwardly at least partially around an inside surface of the cap near aperiphery of the opening to the inner cavity, the one or moreprotrusions to engage an outer surface of the site of one of theplurality of medical implements to maintain the cap on the site of oneof the plurality of medical implements; a cleaning agent that occupiesat least some of the inner cavity, the cleaning agent being formulatedto clean the site when the opening of the cap receives the site of oneof the plurality of medical implements; and at least one aperture to theinner cavity to allow venting from the inner cavity when the opening ofthe cap receives the site of one of the plurality of medical implements.30. The cleaning system in accordance with claim 29, wherein eachcleaning device further comprises a cap having ridges for being grippedby a user to position the cleaning device on the site of one of theplurality of medical implements.
 31. The cleaning system in accordancewith claim 29, wherein the at least one aperture of each cleaning deviceis transiently formed during receiving the site of one of the pluralityof medical implements.
 32. The cleaning system in accordance with claim29, wherein the at least one aperture of each cleaning device istransiently formed as a gap between at least one of the one or moreprotrusions and an outer surface of the site of one of the plurality ofmedical implements.
 33. The cleaning system in accordance with claim 29,wherein the at least one aperture of each cleaning device is a gap inthe one or more protrusions.
 34. The cleaning system in accordance withclaim 29, wherein the venting from the inner cavity of each cleaningdevice includes venting of at least a portion of the cleaning agent. 35.The cleaning system in accordance with claim 29, wherein the ventingfrom the inner cavity of each cleaning device includes releasingpressure from the inner cavity.
 36. The cleaning system in accordancewith claim 29, wherein the at least one aperture of each cleaning deviceis proximate the one or more protrusions of each cleaning device. 37.The cleaning system in accordance with claim 33, wherein the gap in theone or more protrusions is formed between at least one of the one ormore protrusions and an outer surface of the site of one of theplurality of medical implements.